Newsroom: True Stories/Grant Award Profiles

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• Read another Quality of Life grant profile
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A Place to Call Home:
MDRT Member Mansukh Shah shows how to make a difference in people's lives.

Shouts of joy could be heard throughout Francis House after 20-year MDRT member, Mansukh J. Shah, CLU, ChFC, of Syracuse, New York, called to tell Executive Director Sister Kathleen Osbelt that the Home was awarded a $5,000 Quality of Life Grant by the MDRT Foundation.

Mansukh Shah volunteers his time as a resident caregiver at Francis House.

Francis House, where Shah has been a volunteer resident caregiver for three hours a month for the past six years, provides a family and a home to people with terminal illnesses so they can die with dignity and experience unconditional love. Established in January 1991, Francis House has become the home of hundreds of people whose families could no longer care for them.

Shah knew first-hand about the special care needed for those with terminal illnesses. He helped care for his wife, Indra, who was suffered a stroke. Soon after she passed away, Shah learned about Francis House from his secretary, whose mother volunteered there.

Shah contacted Francis House and offered a financial gift which was used to purchase a new electric hospital bed. Soon after the bed arrived, Shah offered an even more precious gift—his time. He wanted to get involved hands-on, comforting the sick in their final days.

Today, Shah provides fundraising support, recruits new volunteers and helps to care for residents and keep the house clean. He recruited 10 members from his church who now volunteer twice a month at Francis House. "Mansukh's initiative, leadership and caring heart have made a tremendous impact on Francis House. We were honored to endorse him for a Quality of Life Award for his contributions to those in our community with terminal illnesses in their last, precious days," said Osbelt. Francis House receives no county, state or federal funding, no insurance reimbursement and is not a United Way member agency. The Home is solely dependent on the generous gifts of individuals and companies and on its staff of 350 volunteers.

Based on the model of a family caring for a loved one, the residence staff interacts with other agency professionals and volunteers in addressing the needs of each of 50 or so residents who live their each year. Companions to the residents affirm the quality of life while addressing their physical needs and providing assistance with meals, personal care and household cleaning.

"We are so grateful for your gift of $5,000 to Francis House through the Quality of Life Program," said Osbelt. "Your gift gives us financial support as well as inspiration to continue our work for those who are in need of our unique care. We are especially honored to receive this grant in recognition of Mansukh J. Shah. Manuskh is a treasured member of the Francis House family." According to Osbelt, the grant will be used to help many people live their last final days in peace and dignity surrounded by love."